An English composer who specialises in vocal pieces has produced what is believed to be the first piece of music ever written especially for Wilmslow.
Sasha Johnson Manning, who graduated from the Royal Academy of Music in 1985 and composed the Manchester Carols, has written a special piece for Wilmslow entitled 'Spirit of Lindow' which sets six poems to music.
Andrew Backhouse, Chair of Lindow Singers, explained "Years ago Sasha helped one of our choir members with a music club at a local school, and so she was known to us as a local(ish) person - and then we had really enjoyed singing the Manchester Carols that she composed. As it came to celebrating our 50th anniversary, it seemed a good idea to ask her to compose something, and she asked for suitable texts.
"We asked choir members, and a local poet, for ideas about poetry that gave some of the essence of singing together, and of the area. This brought up a lovely piece by Walter de la Mare and one by Elizabeth Jennings about music.
"For the pleasure of the area, we have a lovely medieval piece translated to modern English, a poem written by a local doctor and choir member, (Nigel Stone) and two by another local poet, John Shields. The Bollin, the Edge and the Moss all celebrated with something different."
Andrew added "This is a first for our choir, and probably for any choir in Wilmslow, to have something special written for us about the place."
Sasha Johnson Manning commented "The most challenging and exciting thing for me was the diversity of textual styles I was to set. A translation of a poem in Middle English densely steeped in rich imagery, to three wonderful poems in contemporary prose from two local poets, with 19th and 20th century gems to complete the set.
"It will, hopefully give the interested listener a sense of the timeless beauty of the place and the deep regard in which it is held. Taking part in this project has been very important to me, and I hope the intention to create something uniquely peculiar to all things 'Lindow' has been achieved. I only wish I could now say I was from there, but I was born about ten miles away in Hazel-Grove."
Local residents are invited to go along and hear the piece at the United Reformed Church on the evening of Sunday 10th November. The performance will start at 7.30pm. Tickets are priced £11, £10 for concessions and £2 for students.
Lindow Singers, an enthusiastic choir of around 60 members, practice on a Monday evening at Dean Oaks School.
For more information contact Andrew Backhouse on 01625 537087.
